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The recent openings of several western clothing stores such as Gap, H&M and the expansion of Marks & Spencer and Zara signifies the embracement of western clothing by the younger Indian generations.
Those born after 1990 that are now financially independent are showing an ever-growing appetite for western wear as they move away from more traditional Indian clothing and towards “more comfortable” clothing.
Traditional dress is still worn by most men and women, but there is now a noticeably growing presence of contemporary dress on the streets, as colourful fabrics are joined by logos and jeans.
Women may be the biggest shoppers globally but according to Technopak, menswear still dominates in India. This does however look set to change very soon as the sale of womenswear is growing at a faster rate than menswear.
India offers foreign brands a huge potential spending market so it is no surprise that they are now moving in. Some brands however have found the rich variety of geographic customs difficult to navigate and have been forced to move out of certain regions.
Western brands are having to adapt their practices for an Indian market by offering wider colour ranges and more summer clothing.
Image source: pinkvilla


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To celebrate the 75th anniversary of DC's Batman comics, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Entertainment have taken the wraps off a special new Batman logo for the occasion.
The new black-and-white logo, shown above, merges the familiar Bat symbol associated with the superhero with the number 75, and will be used on Batman-related promotions, products and initiatives throughout the year.
The logo comes as part of a year-long '75 years of Batman' celebration, which, in addition to the commemorative logo, will include a "Cape/Cowl/Create" art exhibition at San Diego Comic-Con International in July featuring 20 artists' interpretations of The Dark Knight's cowl headpiece and cape.
Find out more about the various elements of the 75 years of Batman celebration on the DC Comics website.
What do you think of the new Batman logo? Let us know in the comments section below or on Twitter.

domain: news


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Pitopito kōrero mā ngā kiritaki
Consumer hub news and events
Consumer hub news and events for consumer and whānau.
Support for people working in health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find information about how you can support yourselves and others, including consumers, teams and colleagues which complements and aligns with Ministry of Health resources.
The Choosing Wisely campaign seeks to reduce harm from unnecessary and low-value tests and treatment.


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Cornettos have had an iconic place in pop culture ever since Ed told his mate what he wanted from the shop at the start of 2004’s rom-zom-com “Shaun of the Dead”. After two follow-ups and the conclusion of the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, everyone’s heard of the iconic creamy frozen cones, even if they’ve never actually eaten one. But, if immortalising it in film was an odd way to treat a classic ice cream, the brand’s latest launch is downright bizarre.
In a move that’s going to shock Cornetto purists and thrill Instagrammers in equal measure, the ice cream makers have decided to capitalise on the world’s inexplicable obsession with magical horses and release a unicorn-themed cone. Naturally, the ice cream has been christened the “UniCornetto”. Good work, everyone.
The dessert, which has been created by Cornetto’s Australian distributors Streets, is arguably the brand’s most eye catching ice cream to date. Featuring a bright pink cone, blue and purple cotton candy-flavoured ice cream and a mixture of marshmallow rosettes and strawberry sauce, the UniCornetto sounds seriously sweet as well as slightly sickening.
Discussing the new creation with news.co.au, Streets brand manager, Samantha Jarmul said, “We’re thrilled to be giving our customers a taste of magic with this exciting new member of the Cornetto family. The UniCornetto was created to bring a unique dessert experience to teens and families alike and is too majestic not to be shared with friends.”
Unfortunately for international Cornetto fans, it looks like the new ice cream will only be available in Australia. Retailing for around $4, anyone on social media shouldn’t be shocked if southern hemisphere-based Instagram feeds suddenly start looking a lot more lurid. The rest of us will just have to wait our turn.


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After sitting at, or close to the top of PC sales charts for most of
the year it should come as little surprise that the reigning king of
the MMOG hill, style="font-style: italic;">World of Warcraft,
has hit yet another subscription milestone. Today, Blizzard
Entertainment announced that WoW's subscriber base has surpassed the
11.5 million mark – a number made even more impressive once
you consider how recently
they announced hitting 11 million.
Wrath of the Lich King has also gone on to sell over 4 million units
within it's first month, which roughly translates into a gigantic pile
of Death Knights now scampering around Azeroth.
Within its first 24 hours of availability, Wrath of
the Lich King sold
more than 2.8 million copies, making it the fastest-selling PC game of
all time. In addition to winning a number of editor’s choice
awards from major gaming publications, the expansion has now gone on to
sell more than 4 million copies in its first month, setting a new
record for monthly PC-game sales. Both sales records were previously
held by World of Warcraft’s first expansion, The Burning
“We’re pleased to welcome the new and returning
players who have helped World of Warcraft reach these new milestones,
and we appreciate the enthusiasm and support that the game’s
global community has continued to show,” said Mike Morhaime,
CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment®. “We
look forward to providing all of them with an excellent entertainment
experience for a long time to come.”
“Not only is Wrath of the Lich King still doing well, the
base World of Warcraft game and the World of Warcraft Battle
Chest® are performing better than last year,” said
Bob McKenzie, senior vice president of merchandising at GameStop.
“That type of traction is very impressive for a game that is
going into its fifth holiday season and speaks to the enthusiastic
player base Blizzard Entertainment products have.”
Impressive indeed. Something tells me that there won't be too
many people predicting
declining subscription numbers for Blizzard's juggernaut heading into
the new year.
To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our World of Warcraft Game Page.


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Bestselling author, journalist and pop sociologist Malcolm Gladwell had a message for the 10,000 attendees of HubSpot Inc.'s Inbound 2014 conference in Boston. Disruptive companies share an important and often overlooked characteristic -- attitude.
"To my mind, transformation is about much more than using skills and resources and technology; it is also about habits of mind and attitudes and perspectives," he said. Here are three tips on how to develop a disruptor attitude.
1. Be disagreeable. Ingvar Kamprad is the founder of IKEA. His vision? To cut down on the cost of assembly and transport by boxing up wood pieces and shipping furniture flat. His model was so successful that in the late 1950s, the Swedish furniture industry boycotted Kamprad, bringing his manufacturing to a halt. So Kamprad decided to move his manufacturing operation to Poland -- at the height of the Cold War. "It would be like Walmart saying, 'You know where I want to set up shop? North Korea.' Same thing," Gladwell said.
Despite being shunned by countrymen and called a traitor, Kamprad pressed forward because, Gladwell said, he was a disagreeable person. Not disagreeable in the obnoxious sense of the word; "I mean it in the sense that psychologists mean it, which is to say he was not agreeable," Gladwell said.
Those who bring about transformation often don't require support from peers, a rare trait given that humans are social creatures, Gladwell said. Instead, they stay the course -- even in the face of opposition. "When you look at entrepreneurs [and] innovators, that's one of the attitudes you see over and over again -- the courage to be independent," Gladwell said.
2. Reframe the problem. In 1921, the radio industry tried selling its device as an alternative mode for delivering the news, but customers weren't biting. "They were really struggling with how to sell the world on this new technology," Gladwell said. Then came RCA's David Sarnoff, who pushed at those traditional boundaries and saw the radio as a potential vehicle for entertainment, eventually convincing his bosses to let him live broadcast an "eagerly anticipated" boxing match, Gladwell recounted. The event became the first broadcast of a live sporting event in American history and launched radio's meteoric rise.
"What Sarnoff does is he reframes the problem in the minds of the American consumer," he said. No longer is the radio seen as an expensive device that delivers the news; instead, it can bring "the world into your living room," Gladwell said. "That kind of reframing is incredibly hard to do, mostly because it is invariably resisted by people who have framed the world in old way."
3. Have a sense of urgency. In 1979, Steve Jobs visited Xerox PARC in Palo Alto, Calif., and saw the graphical user interface (GUI) and mouse for the first time. Jobs returned to Cupertino, Calif., and built what he'd just seen and made the mouse and GUI a signature feature of the Macintosh personal computer.
Jobs didn't envision or invent the technology, but he did have "a sense of urgency," Gladwell said, and he was able to build a GUI and mouse faster and cheaper than Xerox. That "burning desire to get something done" was the hallmark of Jobs' career.
Data quality for the line of business
Even marketers are talking about data quality these days. At least that's the impression given at MITX's FutureM marketing conference, which partnered with Inbound for the first time this year.
Take Christopher Penn, vice president of marketing at SHIFT Communications, as an example. He told attendees that experienced marketers don't know how to manage and analyze data, and instead lean on gut feelings. But, these days, marketing data is flooding the enterprise, and marketers need to realize their "experience does not scale up," Penn said. They need analytics to help them take advantage of all of the data at their fingertips.
He told attendees that to "turn data into insights," they should start by thinking about the three C's of good data: chosen well, cleanliness and compatibility. The data chosen should connect to a business goal; it needs to be clean so that it's reliable; and it needs to be compatible so it can be integrated with other data types, he said.
Social media playbook
An event like the Grammy Awards only happens once a year, but a team of people work throughout the year to make that one event a success. A key to success in recent years entails leveraging social media, according to Evan Greene, CMO at The Recording Academy.
Greene, another keynote speaker at last week's FutureM event, said that it became clear to Grammy organizers that not all employees were leveraging social media the same way -- and, in some cases, employees were using wrong links in their attempts to get information out to the community.
"So we created a playbook and gave everyone the rules of the road," he said. The marketing team also created a "social media bible," which includes all of the proper hashtags and URLS. "We service this out to all artists, media, publicists and management so that when they want to talk about the Grammys, they're at least directing people to the same place," Greene said.
Previously on The Data Mill
Stress test calls for IT-finance alliance
Struggling to open up data? Look to the public sector
IT and the business at odds with defining big data success


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Hitachi, Honda Seen Integrating Automotive Suppliers
Tokyo, Oct. 30 (Jiji Press)--Hitachi Ltd. <6501> and Honda Motor Co. <7267> are considering integrating a total of four automotive parts suppliers in their respective groups to create Japan's third largest such maker, informed sources said Wednesday.
The move comes as competition is intensifying to develop core parts of electric vehicles, autonomous driving systems and other new technologies.
The four suppliers are Hitachi Automotive Systems Ltd. and three Honda affiliates--Keihin Corp. <7251>, Showa Corp. <7274> and Nissin Kogyo Co. <7230>.
Their combined sales came to nearly 1.8 trillion yen in the year through March 2019, following sales at Denso Corp. <6902> and Aisin Seiki Co. <7259>, both affiliated to Toyota Motor Corp. <7203>.
Hitachi plans to take a stake of nearly 70 pct in a new company to be created through the merger. Honda is also expected to take a certain stake.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]


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The price involving bitcoin improved greatly in this year 2017. Coinbase, one of several world’s largest cryptocurrency deals, was in the right place at the right moment to capitalize for the surge in interest. Even so, Coinbase isn’t interested in getting their crypto gains with no consideration. To stay ahead around a much wider cryptocurrency sector, the company is plowing money back into their particular get better at plan. Up right up until 2017, you can actually revenue was initially reported with $1 thousand and over $150 million of property were exchanged across 20 million customers.
Coinbase, a new San Francisco based company, is acknowledged as the leading cryptocurrency trading podium in the particular United States along with it has the continued success, landed with the No. 10 just right the CNBC Disruptor record in 2018 after faltering to make the list the previous 2 decades.
On their path to accomplishment, Coinbase has left no natural stone unturned throughout poaching essential executives from New York Stock Alternate, Facebook, Facebook, and LinkedIn. In the present year, the dimensions of it has the a lot of the time system team has almost increased twofold.
Earn. com seemed to be bought by Coinbase this Apr for $100 million. This kind of platform allows you to help send and be given electronic currency while replying to help mass market e-mails in addition to completing micro tasks. At this time, the company is planning to bring a former Andreessen Horowitz venture capitalist, Gets president and CEO as it is first-ever primary technology expert.
According to recent valuation, Coinbase valued themselves on about $8 billion when it set out to purchase Earn. Possuindo. This cost is much more than typically the valuation of $1. 6th billion which was predicted at the last round involving venture capital loan in the summer involving 2017.
Coinbase declines to be able to comment on its valuation despite the fact that the idea has more compared to $225 million in money from top VC’s as well as Union Square Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz and also coming from the Nyse.
To satisfy the needs of institutional investors, the New York Stock Exchange is planning to be able to start its very own cryptocurrency exchange. Nasdaq, a rival of NYSE is usually contemplating a good similar move.
� Competition is Coming
As competitive organizations look to take a nip out of the Coinbase’s enterprise, Coinbase is looking to some other venture capital prospects throughout an attempt to create a moat all around this company.
Dan Dolev, a new Nomura instant expert, stated that Square, a good company run by Twitter CEO Jack port Dorsey could eat into Coinbase’s exchange business as it began trading cryptocurrency on its Square Cash iphone app in January.
According to help the estimates by Dolev, Coinbase’s common trading costs have been approximately 1. 8 percent around 2017. Expenses this high could push the users some other cheaper exchanges.
Coinbase is looking in order to become a one-stop retail outlet for the institutional option traders while hedging their exchange business. To help lure throughout that white baseball glove individual class, the company has announced a fleet of new products. James simons of shareholders has recently been especially mindful to dive into typically the volatile cryptocurrency market.
Coinbase Prime, The Coinbase Institutional Coverage Group, Coinbase Custodianship and Coinbase Marketplaces happen to be the products launched by the company.
Coinbase feels there exists billions of dollars throughout institutional money which can easily be invested in this digital currency. The idea presently has the child custody connected with $9 billion in client resources.
Institutional traders happen to be concerned about stability regardless of knowing Coinbase has never endured a hack like many other global cryptocurrency trades. Coinbase us president and COO said that the push involving launching the Coinbase custody of the children last November has been the deficiency of trusted custodian to safeguard their very own crypto investments.
� At present Walls Streets Shifts through Whacking Bit to Cryptocurrency Dionysus
According to latest files obtainable from Autonomous Next Wall Street’s, interest inside cryptocurrency seems to become increasing. At present, you can find 287 crypto hedge cash, while in 2016, truth be told there were solely 20 cryptocurrency hedge means that been with us. Goldman Sachs has even opened a cryptocurrency stock trading desk.
Coinbase has in addition introduced Coinbase Ventures, which will is an incubator pay for for early-stage startup companies performing in the cryptocurrency and even blockchain space. Coinbase Projects has already accumulated $15 billion dollars for further ventures. Its very first investment was announced inside a international named Compound which often enables a person to borrow or perhaps lend cryptocurrency while earning an interest rate.
In often the beginning of 2018, this company launched Coinbase Business, which allows merchants in order to accept important cryptocurrencies to get payment. One other bitcoin startup was BitPlay, which not too long ago raised $40 million at venture funds. Last season BitPlay processed much more than $1 billion in bitcoin obligations.
The proponents of blockchain technology trust that later on, cryptocurrency will be ready to get rid of the need regarding central banking regulators. Inside the process, the idea will certainly cut costs and create some sort of decentralized financial solution.
� Regulatory Safety Remains Intensive
To keep accessibility minimal to four cryptocurrencies, Coinbase has drawn a whole lot of critique. But these people must tread properly while the U. S. government bodies deliberate on how to police certain uses of the technologies.
Regarding cryptocurrency exchanges like Coinbase, typically the matter of concern can be whether or even not cryptocurrencies are stock options which would likely be subject to Investments and Exchange Commission legal system. Coinbase is admittedly slower to add new cash as the SEC announced inside Strut that it will utilize stability laws in order to all cryptocurrency trades.
Walls Streets Journal claimed the fact that Coinbase met the particular SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION’S officials to register by itself as a licensed brokerage firm together with electronic trading area. Such scenario, it would certainly become much easier for Coinbase to support a lot more gold and silver coins and also to abide with security regulations.


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EBay’s Authenticity Guarantee has a brand new bag.
The service, which launched with premium watches in September and expanded to collectible sneakers in October, now covers high-end handbags as well.
New and pre-owned bags eligible for authentication must be worth more than $500 from a select group of 16 luxury brands — namely Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Hermès, Saint Laurent, Celine, Dior, Prada, Fendi, Goyard, Burberry, Chloè, Valentino, Givenchy, Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta — putting the new category between the $100 threshold for sneakers and $2,000 qualifier for timepieces.
The goal, according to eBay, is to foster trust.
“Before we started authentication, we looked at a lot of consumer data and did a lot of surveys just to understand what our customers want,” Charis Márquez, eBay’s vice president of fashion, told WWD. “By far, this ‘trust’ piece came up as the biggest thing that customers were looking for, so this is a direct response to what our consumers were already telling us.”
The mechanics of how it operates is simple but not easy: The company employs a team of professional authenticators trained to conduct comprehensive, multipoint physical inspections. When a shopper purchases a premium bag, the seller ships it directly to the team, which evaluates the item and verifies that the product and collateral materials are consistent with the listing title, description and image.
Fall 2021 Men’s Collections
Goods go out to the customer, via expedited shipping, only once they pass muster. EBay does not charge the seller or the buyer for the service.
In other words, the service is not a direct revenue source for the company. But it has plenty of reason to ensure shoppers have confidence in buying their prestige bags from the platform.
“We sell a handbag every 12 seconds, so we already had a ton of business here,” Márquez said.
On average, the company sees 1.41 million handbag listings daily and in 2020, it sold more than 2 million handbags in North America alone. That could have prompted the company to start with the high-value category, but it intentionally chose to wait.
“We just wanted to make sure we got it right, so we started with watches and then sneakers,” she continued. “Frankly, we wanted to just make sure we had the program down as we started to add new categories — especially a category like handbags, that’s so huge and so important.”
It’s such a priority, in fact, that authenticated bags even carry an NFC tag, a piece of high-tech kit that can conjure authentication information with a tap of a smartphone. “Once you see that tag, you know it’s gone through the process,” she added.
NFC, or Near Field Communication, is the same technology that makes tap-to-pay work at store checkouts and transit centers. Most modern smartphones and smartwatches come equipped with it, and now that eBay has started equipping products with the tech, it’s exploring what else it can do with it. Some day, those tags could include other data, like sourcing or sustainability information.
For now, the company is focused on its authentication quest for luxury categories.
“Demand for luxury items on eBay is soaring — an iconic Hermès Birkin bag was recently sold for $98,000 and our watches business doubled last quarter,” Tirath Kamdar, general manger of luxury at eBay, said in a press statement. “People come to the marketplace knowing that they’ll find the designers and items that they’re coveting. And now, eBay is delivering a more seamless and accessible experience that lets shoppers buy and sellers sell luxury handbags with total confidence.”
The focus on authenticating luxury is creating interesting conversations inside the company. It’s even inspiring it to explore new territories, such as NFTs, or non-fungible tokens. The blockchain-based technology can intrinsically verify ownership of unique goods, both digital and physical, and it’s nearly impossible to fake or alter. Think of it as another weapon in the fight against knock-offs.
Counterfeits have been a scourge in a retail world forever dogged by copycats. In 2017, as Global Financial Integrity noted, the intense profitability of transnational crime of between $1.6 trillion and $2.2 trillion annually, it also singled out counterfeiting as the most lucrative, at $923 billion to $1.13 trillion.
The problem has only intensified since the pandemic. Heightened online buying has collided with supply chain and delivery issues to create scarcity and deepen demand — in other words, a perfect set of circumstances for illicit operators to take advantage of retailers and the public, especially in the online shopping environments that have exploded when the coronavirus surged.
The issue has become too big for marketplaces to ignore. Amazon recently announced that it blocked 10 billion listings for counterfeits and “seized and destroyed” 2 million knock-off products last year. In April, Facebook and Gucci teamed to jointly file a lawsuit in the United States District Court, Northern District of California, against an international online counterfeit business operator who has evaded the platform’s prior enforcement efforts.
By that measure, the hundreds of thousands of products that eBay has clocked through its Authenticity Guarantee so far may seem small. But that doesn’t mean it’s not big business.
Since introducing the service for watches and sneakers, the business reported notable growth. Sneaker sales have grown at a triple digit rate year-over-year for several quarters, the company said, while watches jumped from 16 percent to 38 percent in the first quarter. EBay credits its Authenticity Guarantee as one of the main drivers of momentum that’s lifting sales in other areas.
One of them is handbags. Already, the category saw an increase of more than 31 percent in sales compared to last year, and surges since February alone have ignited subsets like mini purses and clutches by more than 72 percent and 30 percent, respectively.
Now eBay’s betting that it can explode the key bag category even further by building its cred as a known, trusted source for legit Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga.
Source: Read Full Article


text: Google’s recent acquisition of Boston Dynamics, a company that builds hunter-killer robots and is, yes, straight out of an eighties sci-fi flick, should stir more bafflement than, say, anxiety. After all, Google doesn’t do evil. (People who disagree, see here.) While one can imagine Google employing repurposed Robocops to kill terrorists (which would be cool, not evil), it seems that Google has other uses in mind. Remember: Google is after advertising revenue. While it dominates online, it most definitely does not offline. (There’s still an offline, apparently.) Really, what we should concern ourselves with isn’t Termination but robots that track our behavior in brick-and-mortar stores and shopping malls, robots like BD’s Petman that we can use for “free” (much like other Google products) by simply providing them with data about our non-virtual lives. Free robot shopping and delivery of groceries? Yes! (As long as Google knows all the groceries you bought and how much you paid for them.) Everything will soon be procurable via Google — and not only durable goods but things like pad Thai and human beings (family, friends and, in Nevada or Russia, escorts). Soon we will be choreographed in ways we never imagined. Yay! Google!


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“Apple Pay lets you use your fingerprint, an iPhone, or Apple Watch to pay for stuff, online, you can use those products and/or the Touch ID on a MacBook Pro to pay for items where you see the Apple Pay logo,” Jonny Evans writes for Apple Must. “More secure than using your credit card, these are great ways to pay – but you still need the places where you shop to accept Apple Pay for it to be any use. And that’s what’s changing so, so rapidly as the Apple Pay team is working its little cotton socks off to develop the service.”
“That’s certainly what we learn in a recent Boston Retail Partners report, which tells us not only that mobile payments are taking off, but that Apple is rapidly becoming the most widely deployed and most widely used smartphone-based mobile payments service,” Evans writes. “‘PayPal has been bumped out of its top spot in this year’s survey with Apple Pay now being accepted at 36% of the retailers participating in the survey,’ the report said.”
Evans writes, “I anticipate we’ll see support at 70%+ of global retailers by 2020, at the latest.”
Much more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Slowly, but surely. And, no, there is no better way to pay than with Apple Watch and Apple Pay.
Two simple things could turbocharge Apple Pay usage: Better (or actual) signage at the point of sale and incentives for using Apple Pay. Imagine Apple Pay usage if Apple simply offered $1 to spend at the Apple Store for every hundred spent via Apple Pay.
Apple Pay transactions are growing at a rapid rate – November 30, 2016
Apple Pay messaging at point-of-sale drives 135% increase in mobile payments usage – November 21, 2016
Apple Pay at two years: Not much to celebrate – yet – October 20, 2016
Apple Pay’s frequency of usage is putrid – August 3, 2016
Apple Pay and wannabes must offer perks to grow – December 14, 2015
Starbucks, KFC, and Chili’s to accept Apple Pay this year – October 8, 2015
Barclays to bring Apple Pay to the UK in early 2016 – October 7, 2015
Some Best Buy stores are now accepting Apple Pay – September 18, 2015
MCX CEO gone a day after Apple Pay lands Best Buy – April 28, 2015
Best Buy capitulates, to accept Apple Pay despite CurrentC allegiance – April 27, 2015
Major retailers see Apple Pay wave – November 17, 2014
In only 3 weeks, Apple Pay is changing how consumers pay – November 17, 2014
Boycott CVS and Rite Aid – October 27, 2014
Bad business: CVS and Rite Aid antagonize their most well-heeled customers by blocking Apple Pay – October 27, 2014
CVS stores reportedly disabling NFC to shut down Apple Pay – October 25, 2014
iPhone users earn significantly more than those who settle for Android phones – October 8, 2014
Yet more proof that Android is for poor people – June 27, 2014
More proof that Android is for poor people – May 13, 2014
Apple’s iOS dominates in richer countries, Android in poorer regions – March 25, 2014
Twitter heat map shows iPhone use by the affluent, Android by the poor – June 20, 2013
Way too many merchants & employees not set up or have a clue.
Many smaller merchants take Apple Pay. They just don’t know it. Three stores in my area have new chip readers and I tried Apple Pay. It went thru, no problem. Unless it’s turned off, it should run. Try it some time.
little cotton sock… 😉
I had commented a while ago. McD was having trouble in our area with Apple Pay. I did communicate with them, sales, staff, and HQ. It looks like they finally got it figured out. This is the new POS contactless payment terminals where the chip reading has been activated and have the blue background behind their logo.
May seem like not a big deal. As a customer of any business you need to voice up, tell them what you want. They tend to get so little feedback that any one voice tends to get some attention. Don’t be afraid to cal HQ, because the clerks tend to not communicate up. Or someone else behind them drops the ball. Just saying.
Be an activist – but not an asshole.
And yet, we’re still waiting for Home Depot to turn it back on after it was disabled to “make sure their customers had the same great experience everywhere” or some hogwash ..
But still not at Safeway/Vons, Kroeger, CVS or Rite Aid. Lame.
Chip cards are enabled at all the above so NFC may have a bit harder time getting a foothold for a while.
Rite Aid takes Apple Pay. I used it the other day, and there was a press release six months ago, posted here about it.
CVS & Safeway agreed. Lame.
So how does this compare to chip enabled payments or online payments. Last I heard for online, Apple Pay is far behind Amazon and Google Pay not to mention the leader Paypal for online payment services that abstract the payment method into tokens during purchase transactions. More and more retail transactions are online these days after all.
Gas stations PLEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSSEEEEE!
Rather Gas Pumps… not stations stores.
I used AP with AW at a soda vending machine in a hospital yesterday. I was pleasantly shocked. It was great.
One thing will slow the transition is the fact that many merchants have upgraded to chip card readers without the wireless capability necessary for Apple Pay. Those wireless won’t be deployed for another generation of POS boxes.
I will say that Apple got into wireless payments at the right time.
Totally false Samsung Pay is atill more widely accepted since they can simulate a CC swipe where NFC is accepted. Wish Apple Pay had that functionality too.


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Stratford joins Glasgow, Edinburgh, Epsom and Brighton on list of areas most likely to drive electric car market
London's East End, Glasgow and Edinburgh are the locations most likely to drive demand for electric cars, according to a major new study from British Gas. The study concluded the three cities, along...
Energy giant signs Memorandum of Understanding with Ministry of Industry and Trade to accelerate clean energy roll out
Climate-concerned investors set to vote on key environmental resolutions this week at Exxon and Chevron annual general meetings
Hubbub's Trewin Restorick argues a range of different approaches for tackling food waste by leading supermarkets could mark a turning point in the war on waste
Intelligent device reduces power consumption of charging electric car when house's system near to being overloaded


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The I-Team exposes a secret that’s costing taxpayers
SEND TIPS 818-520-8477
A judge has ordered the city of Los Angeles to change the way it handles disputed parking tickets, a system that many motorists say is rigged against them, the NBC4 I-Team has learned. Read More
Drivers beware: challenging an unfair parking ticket in Los Angeles could subject you to increased fines, hours of appeals, cancellation of your car registration and threats of a withheld tax refund. Read More
It was August, 2011 when Jeff Galfer got his ticket. Read More
Click here for advice for drivers looking to contest a parking ticket. Read More
Cities across southern California are taking a second look at some questionable parking tickets as a result of an NBC4 I-Team investigation that exposed unfair ticketing by traffic officers. Read More
The city of Los Angeles may be breaking California law by ticketing vehicles parked at inoperable or malfunctioning parking meters. Read More
An NBC4 I-Team investigation found that Los Angeles traffic officers continue to ticket cars parked at malfunctioning meters despite a law that forbids it -- all while parking meter citation revenue has generated tens of millions of dollars for the city. Joel Grover reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, 2014.
Southern California drivers are reacting furiously to the I-Team report earlier this week that exposed how Los Angeles is writing tickets at malfunctioning meters, despite a new law forbidding broken meter tickets. Some residents have even been ticketed while time was still on their meter. Joel Grover reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014.
Los Angeles recently reversed its policy of ticketing drivers parked at busted meters. Read More
Millions of shoppers will descend on outlet stores over the next few days to search for designer brand names at bargain prices. But are you really getting the high-end quality those fancy labels suggest?
Families who signed their sons up for youth football claim a coach cheated them out of hundreds of dollars.
Several frustrated parents have been posting angry comments and photos in Amazon's section about "Bunchems," a children’s toy that is expected to be among the most popular Christmas gifts for children this year.
Many consumers who pride themselves on counting every penny may be missing out on money they're owed. That's because they're failing to collect on class action settlements that could range from just a bucks, to hundreds of...
The owners of a famous camp for kids and religious retreat center outside LA say they’ll do "more comprehensive" testing to check for contamination on their 2,800-acre property. The campus sits next door to the Santa Susana...
From wireless technology to the ability to navigate a freeway without help from a driver, new cars boast a lot of bells and whistles, including some features that can record every move you make behind the wheel.


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If you own cryptocurrencies, this is arguably the biggest opportunity to use them for things other than trading. Bitrefill, a startup that sells mobile top-up vouchers and accepts cryptocurrencies for payment, is working on gift cards for Amazon, Uber, Google Play, Hotels.com and a number of other ecommerce companies. These cards, once acquired by a user, can be used to purchase a wide range of things from these websites. As of now company has started offering gift cards for Amazon US only, but cards for other services mentioned above are also likely to be available very soon.
The company said in its announcement that it always thought about selling gift cards, and it was also one of the most requested features by the customers of company. Therefore, Bitrefill finally decided to go ahead with this thing. A total of five cryptocurrencies can be used to pay for these gift vouchers, namely Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Dash and Dogecoin. Currently this service is available for US and Germany based users only, but company has said that it’s working on other countries too.
Speaking about the development, Bitrefill CEO Sergej Kotliar said:
“With a regular bitcoin payment processor the merchant needs to be involved in many ways with the process which they often don’t have the time or the skills to do well. When selling a voucher we can control the user experience in [its] entirety, handle all interactions with the end customer, and they easily apply the vouchers themselves.”
On the subject of other companies that may partner with Bitrefill in coming days Kotliar said that his company is targeting all those merchants who’re starting to drop Bitcoin from their list of accepted payment methods. Whenever someone stops accepting Bitcoin for payments, the company contacts them and partners with them. He said:
“We now have a Google alert set for the words ‘no longer accepts Bitcoin’, it sends a direct email to our business development team.”
A service like this one is much needed in India, but thanks to our regulators we can’t be sure about when will Bitrefill or any other company start offering similar services in our country. So let’s see which countries are added next by Bitrefill for this voucher generation service.


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Warning on payment insurance
THE City watchdog warned financial services firms today that they needed to take urgent action over the way they sell certain insurance products.
The Financial Services Authority said visits and a mystery shopping exercise had uncovered poor sales practices and a lack of proper compliance with regulations among companies selling payment protection insurance (PPI).
It found there was a risk that the policies, which cover debt repayments if the holder loses their income, were being mis-sold to people who would never be able to claim on them.
In other cases staff were giving advice when they should not have done so, people were not being warned about exclusions and the policies were not being properly explained to consumers.
The regulator found that companies selling the insurance alongside mainstream mortgages were generally complying with the regulations, but there were problems among companies selling it with other products, such as credit and store cards and loans.
It found that half of the 30 firms selling PPI with unsecured credit failed to take reasonable steps to ensure policies were not sold to people who would not be able to claim on them, or which would provide them with only limited cover.
Around half of the firms that sold the policies on a non-advised basis also did not have adequate systems in place to stop their staff giving advice.
Where advice was given it was often poor, and companies were over-reliant on the documentation on the policies given to customers, rather than explaining them.
• GUIDE: Payment pr
• GUIDE: Mortgage payme
• GUIDE: Permanent health insurance
• GUIDE: Critical illness cover
• DEAL FINDER: Mortgage protection
• DEAL FINDER: Income protection
• CHAT: Our readers' PPI con stories
Most of the companies selling the policies by telephone did not give customers enough information on what was exuded from the cover, while the FSA found that the level and structure of inducements and sales targets for staff could encourage mis-selling at some firms.
The FSA said it planned to give detailed feedback on its findings to the companies that sold the policies and the insurers who provided them, while firms involved in some of the more serious breaches would be referred for further investigation with a view to possible enforcement action.
It added that it planned to undertake a second round of work early next year to make sure compliance levels had improved.
Clive Briault, FSA managing director for retail markets, said: 'When properly structured, explained and sold, payment protection insurance can provide worthwhile cover for consumers against unexpected changes in their personal circumstances.
'We were therefore pleased to see that sales of regular premium PPI sold with prime mortgages are generally compliant.
'However, compliance standards in other areas of the market, notably single premium PPI business, are generally weak. Those firms where these problems exist must take urgent action to address them.'
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USA, KS: Transport Brewing working on second facility in Gardner
Like any new business, starting up a brewery can be a hard process. Transport Brewery, which opened in 2018, was no stranger to those struggles. After overcoming the typical obstacles to opening a new business, Transport has become a staple at the Johnson Drive location in Shawnee, Kansas, flatlandkc.org reported on September 28.
In fact, Transport has been doing so well in Shawnee that expansion plans are now in the works. In an announcement on their Facebook page, Transport broke the news that they are working on a second facility to be located in downtown Gardner, Kansas.
The bigger location will allow Transport to develop new beers without clogging up the production pipeline for mainstays. The bigger facility also will give the brewery an opportunity to add an on-site kitchen rather than rely on food trucks out front. Finally, a bigger building means more space for guests.
For anyone reading this and worrying that their current location will go away, fret not. Transport plans on keeping the Shawnee location in addition to the new Gardner spot. While no formal construction plans have been announced, they are hoping to have the new facility open at some point in 2022. When it does, you can count on us to be among some of the first customers to help them celebrate.
Strange Days Brewing Co. 316 Oak St., Kansas City, Missouri has a brand new sour ale for you. In an homage to their favorite Sonic Drive-In drink, they have released Supersonic Brain Freeze, a 5% ABV fruited gose. This beer has flavors of cherry, lime and salt. It will leave your tastebuds puckering.
Boulevard Brewing Co. 2501 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri also is releasing a brand new sour ale. Hibiscus Ginger Sour rings in at 4.2% ABV and 10 IBUs. The beer starts slightly tart and floral and finishes with a bit of ginger spice. Its perfect for warm fall days and cool fall evenings.
Alma Mader Brewing 2635 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri is ringing in the week with three new releases. Tall Tales is an 8.5% ABV imperial oat brown ale brewed with cinnamon and Colombian and Brazilian coffee from Messenger. Phyllharmonic is a 6.7% ABV fresh hop IPA using hops from Kansas Hop Co. Lastly, they have Meadow, which is a classic 5.5% ABV fest bier which is more like a Vienna lager than a märzen.
E-malt.com, the global information source for the brewing and malting industry professionals. The bi-weekly E-malt.com Newsletters feature latest industry news, statistics in graphs and tables, world barley and malt prices, and other relevant information. Click here to get full access to E-malt.com. If you are a Castle Malting client, you can get free access to E-malt.com website and publications. Contact us for more information at email@example.com .


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Ford’s new Mustang, EcoSport SUV, Ranger Black Edition pickup and Tourneo Custom will all be making their European motor show debut next week in Frankfurt.
Joining the 2018 Mustang, more capable EcoSport and more versatile Tourneo Custom in Frankfurt will be the limited production Ranger Black Edition, available only as a Double Cab, with a maximum 2,500 units being built.
Also on display will be the Ford GT ’67 Heritage Edition, with its unique red and white stripe livery, celebrating the 1967 Le Mans-winning GT 40 Mark IV race car.
As for the all-new Fiesta line-up, it will include both the Fiesta Active crossover, as well as the Fiesta ST. Both models are scheduled to go on sale in Europe next year.
In terms of what the automaker is planning for the future, Ford Europe, Middle East and Africa president, Steven Armstrong, will deliver a keynote address on his company’s vision, announcing a new Smart Mobility initiative.
Frankfurt visitors looking to plan ahead should note that Ford’s stand at the Frankfurt Motor Show will be located in Hall 9, Messe Frankfurt.


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LAHORE: The persistent shortage of life-saving medicines across the country may aggravate as 140 pharmaceutical companies have submitted a list of nearly 1,300 drugs (molecules) to the Drug Regulatory Authority Pakistan (Drap) categorically conveying that they have stopped production of these medicines in the prevailing economic crisis.
As many as 100 chief executive officers (CEOs) of the pharmaceutical firms apprised the government about the depressing situation in a high-level meeting held with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) Chairman Syed Farooq Bukhari and other members represented the country’s pharma industry in the meeting which was called to avert the crisis brewing because of the federal government’s policy on imported goods.
Some members of the PPMA told this reporter that the pharmaceutical industry was heavily dependent on the import of raw materials in order to ensure uninterrupted supply of medicines.
140 companies submit list of nearly 1,300 molecules for stopping production
Unfortunately, they said, pharma industry suffered a devastating blow when prices of active ingredients/raw material used in manufacturing of drugs increased exponentially.
Simultaneously, cost of fuel, electricity, freight charges, packing material and exchange rate witnessed an unprecedented increase, resulting in stymieing production.
The PPMA office-bearers said over 500 life-saving medicines had gone scarce countrywide since the government evolved a policy on import of the raw material and other goods.
Following the policy, they said, the State Bank of Pakistan had asked the banks to impose certain restrictions on opening Letters of Credit (LCs) for the import of essential goods, especially raw material.
They said the depressing situation led to the stoppage of production of several medicines in Pakistan due to non-payment in foreign currency, particularly in dollar.
Consequently, the number of medicines [in short supply] increased from 500 to 1,300 when the pharmaceutical industries stopped production as they were unable to make procurement of raw material from other countries due to the massive increase in the dollar rate in Pakistan.
“We held a meeting with Finance Minister Ishad Dar on Tuesday and told him clearly that some 140 pharmaceutical firms decided to stop production of life-saving medicines and submitted a list of 1,300 molecules to the Drap in this respect”, PPMA central chairman Syed Farooq Bukhari told Dawn.
He said the most disturbing part of the development was that the medicines were meant for heart diseases, those used in the intensive care units, epilepsy, allergy, blood pressure, sugar, antibiotic, and anaesthesia drugs.
These drugs were short in production and supply all over the country, Mr Bukhari said adding that even common-use medicines including ORS, were also among them which were rarely available in the market.
He said Heparin is a life-saving medicine used abundantly and its shortage would cause grave problems as it was given promptly to the patients visiting the hospitals’ emergencies in life-threatening condition of trauma.
“We have conveyed to the finance minister that it was not a crisis of pharma industry of the country, it was actually a national crisis since the lives and health of millions of people are involved”, Syed Farooq Bukhari said.
He warned that the number of [short] drugs may further increase to 2,500 in coming days as more firms have stopped production of the medicines and they were writing to the Drap.
The PPMA central chairman said the pharmaceutical industry time and again requested the federal government and the Drap to take concrete remedial measures by allowing inflationary adjustments in the maximum retail prices of medicines which, if not addressed, would result in the inevitable collapse of the industry.
Spokesperson for the Young Pharmacist Association Pakistan Noor Mehar also confirmed that the shortage of life-saving medicines reached an alarming level.
He said the denial of access of patients to safe, effective, potent, beneficial, efficacious and economical treatment was blatant violation of the human rights, holding the federal government and Drap responsible for the grave situation.
Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2023


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The average sale price this month declined 6.8% compared to March 2010. When comparing February & March of 2011, the average sale price increased from$244,500 to $261,100.
If you take a look at the first quarter of 2011 with the same period (Jan-Mar) in 2010, the data shows that new listings decreased 29.8% (9,172 v. 13,072). Closed sales decreased by 1.5% (3,834 v. 3,892) while pending sales went down by 11.9% (4,915 v. 5,576). The average sale price fell 9.2% ($252,800 v. $278,300), and the median sale price dropped 9.5% ($215,000 v. $237,500).
The biggest bright spot in the Portland real estate market is that March 2011 had a big decrease in inventory. Down from10.9 months of inventory last month, 11,458 active Portland homes for sale would last about 7.1 months, at March 2011's rate of sales. The general thought is that six months is a good balance between a buyer’s and seller’s market.
To see how last months data looked, click here.
He can be reached at 503.961.2181 or by e-mail at email@example.com
Originally posted on West Linn Real Estate.


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The Saudi Reserve Bank (SAMA) is increase its research study into Reserve bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) however is yet to reveal a release.
In a Jan. 23 publication, the bank mentioned it was dealing with a stage of a task that “concentrates on domestic wholesale CBDC usage cases in cooperation with regional banks and fintechs.”
Nevertheless, it verified there had actually been no decision to release such a digital currency in the Middle Eastern country.
” SAMA worries that although no choice has actually been made relating to the intro of CBDC in the Kingdom, it continues to concentrate on checking out the advantages and possible dangers of executing CBDC.”
SAMA is looking into numerous elements of a state-issued digital currency consisting of financial effect, market preparedness, and the applications of a CBDC-based payment option. It likewise plans to evaluate policy, legal, and regulative factors to consider.
The relocation becomes part of Saudi Vision 2030, an effort to lower the Kingdom’s reliance on oil, diversify its economy and establish civil service sectors such as health, education, facilities, leisure, and tourist.
According to SAMA guv, H.E. Fahad Almubarak, regional banks, and payment business will be greatly associated with the CBDC task and application.
SAMA effectively performed a CBDC experiment called “Task Aber” in 2019. It operated in cooperation with the Reserve bank of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to take a look at whether blockchain innovation might add to cross-border payments.
The banks launched a report on their findings in late 2020 concluding a dual-issued CBDC was technically feasible for cross-border payments and provided “considerable enhancement over central payment systems in regards to architectural strength.”
Related: Study exposes high penetration and adoption of crypto in Saudi Arabia
No information were supplied on the innovation behind the Saudi CBDC, however CBDC Tracker recommends it is based upon the Linux Structure’s Hyperledger Material.
According to the United States believe tank Atlantic Council, there are presently 11 nations that have actually completely released a CBDC, and 17 are running pilots. The majority of those that have actually introduced remain in the Caribbean with the exception of Nigeria.
Source: Coin Telegraph.


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The downtown Las Vegas resort property once known as the Lady Luck will reopen next month as the Downtown Grand, the property’s chief executive said Friday.
Seth Schorr, CEO of the Downtown Grand Las Vegas, said a ribbon cutting ceremony is set for Nov. 12. Schorr also said reservations were being accepted for rooms with availability beginning Oct. 27.
“We have been working hard on this project for several years,” Schorr said. “The support of the entire downtown community has been overwhelming, and we look forward to adding another amazing element to the revitalization of Las Vegas.”
Schorr said the investment made by the property’s owner, CIM Group, in the Downtown Grand and the surrounding Downtown3rd neighborhood will be “north of $200 million” when completed.
The price of the renovation, redesign and transformation of the Lady Luck into the Downtown Grand alone was about $100 million. The Downtown Grand at Third Street and Ogden Avenue is in the process of hiring 800 employees.
The Downtown Grand features 634 rooms, about 600 slot machines and 30 table games.
“This has been an amazing year for downtown Las Vegas,” Schorr said. “The relocation of Zappos’ headquarters, multiple new businesses in the Fremont East entertainment district and the upcoming Life is Beautiful festival are all proof that we are in the middle of a downtown resurgence.”
It’s also been a year that welcomed the transformation of Fitzgerald’s into the D, along with the renovations to the Golden Gate casino and creation of an $11 million zipline, called SlotZilla, that lets riders view Fremont Street from 120 feet above street level is nearing completion.
“If you look at shopping malls … they are anchored by department stores,” said Stephen Brown, director and economics professor at the Center for Business & Economic Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “Most of the stores are dependent on spill over from the big stores. Downtown Grand will serve a similar function.”
Brown expected other business nearby to be more success. But, he didn’t expect the new casino to steal tourists from Strip properties.
“It creates an experience,” Brown said. “It also helps to revitalize downtown.”
For others, a renovated Downtown Grand simply means jobs.
Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow said the Downtown Grand creates an opportunity for people to go back to work, provide for their families, and use disposable income to “provide and injection into the Las Vegas economy.”
“We just walked through there (Friday),” said Jonathan Jossel, director of Las Vegas properties for Tamares Real Estate, which includes The Plaza. “It’s great. They have a totally different style than anything on the market.”
Jossel expected the Downtown Grand to attract more tourists to the area, which is welcome especially during an economic recovery. The Downtown Grand is owned by CIM Group, while Fifth Street Gaming holds the gaming license and operates the property.
“It has been 18 months since the remodel (of the Plaza), and the market has been a challenge,” Jossel said. “The gaming market is slowly improving.”
The original Lady Luck casino opened in 1964 and closed in 2006. The new casino has become the anchor tenant of the Downtown3rd district, which boasts restaurants and bars.
Schorr told the Review-Journal’s editorial board Wednesday that the next phase of development was about 2 years away and would include 80,000 square feet of retail space adjacent to the Mob Museum and 20,000 square feet of convention space.
Schorr expects the Downtown Grand to grow the market. He also said he was confident that they brought “a product to market that competes with the Golden Nugget.”
Contact reporter Chris Sieroty at firstname.lastname@example.org or 702-477-3893. Follow @sierotyfeatures on Twitter.


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Rochellie Fagan's Latest Articles
It’s that time of year again, folks! What will Nintendo have up their sleeves to impress us this year at E3? Here is the list of games that would make you want to buy a Switch!
School’s out, and summer vacation has just begun! Need something to keep you occupied if you aren’t traveling this summer? Here are the free games that may be worth downloading!
Spring is finally here but that doesn’t stop the various multiplayer games out for April! This month, PlayStation Plus subscribers can enjoy relaxing co-op play or intense online action.
With the release of the Nintendo Switch closing in on March 3rd, having a strong lineup of games is a factor. The announcements of when games are released for next-gen consoles may make or break the future of their longevity.
To end January on a good note, Penny Arcade had its third annual convention, PAX South. This year, Nintendo entered the show floor showcasing their newest console that’s releasing in March, the Nintendo Switch.
The year is nearly coming to an end, and the holidays are already here. So, enjoy these free games coming up in December that were revealed for PlayStation Plus subscribers.


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Austin, Texas – DisplaySearch Greater China market VP David Hsieh has released a blog on the DisplaySearch website assessing the possible disruption that the March 11 earthquake in Japan may or may not have on supplies of global flat-panel TV displays this year, especially LCD panels.
The good news, if you can call it that, is the worst of the quake damage outside of Japan may ultimately be more psychological than physical, as most panel production facilities in Japan lie outside the impacted area.
“Along with concern about oil prices, the earthquake in Japan might further psychologically influence consumers and businesses, though in a subtle manner,” Hsieh wrote.
Some flat-panel-display components suppliers may have been impacted, he stated, but most parts markers keep safety stocks that should cover any temporary shortfalls.
For a detailed run down of panel and component suppliers tied to Japanese production, the rest of the blog can be found here.


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Blast at ‘UK’ labels who make clothes abroad
A TINY UK clothing label has slammed bigger rivals for talking up their British roots — but making clobber OVERSEAS.
The boss of Salford-based menswear brand PRIVATE WHITE VC yesterday ripped into HACKETT and JACK WILLS — as well as City shirtmakers TM LEWIN and CHARLES TYRWHITT.
James Eden, great grandson of Private White’s founder, challenged all four rivals about their manufacturing. And he blasted that millions of customers were being “duped”.
Fashion brand Jack Wills has registered the trademark “Fabulously British”.
But in emails seen by Sun City a customer service rep from the firm admits: “The products available this season are woven in the UK but manufactured in Europe and the Far East”.
A Jack Wills spokeswoman yesterday said it was the company’s “ambition” to open a UK factory — and it had sponsored a flock of SHEEP in Wiltshire.
Spanish-owned Hackett plugs itself as the “home of essential British kit”. But a Hackett customer service rep admitted: “Our production staff have confirmed that unfortunately at present Hackett do not construct any garments in the UK.” She said that Hackett did make “a number of items” with materials sourced from Britain.
A rep for City shirtmaker TM Lewin said “no garments are made in the UK”, while Charles Tyrwhitt said only its ties, shoes, scarves and two coat lines were made in Britain.
Mr Eden, who supplies M&S and JOHN LEWIS, said: “We’re making huge efforts to promote, expand and export a factory brand that is 110 per cent British.
“But our efforts and impact are becoming diluted and made almost impossible by foreign brands and businesses marketing themselves, quite wrongly, as British. There should be a quality mark to help customers decide where they spend their money.”
The blast comes as experts claim the Olympics will be a huge money-spinner for British brands. Credit card giant VISA last night said the Olympics would boost consumer spending by £800million this summer as tourists flock into the UK.
Ben Elliot, nephew of the Duchess of Cornwall, is launching a “Quintessentially British” campaign next week to promote Brit brands overseas, including Aspall Cyder, Jo Malone, McLaren Automotive and Coutts.
Dixons axe falls on 120 shops
THE new boss of DIXONS RETAIL is axing 120 stores in a wholesale retreat from the high street.
Chief exec Sebastien James claims the future is a handful of “urban toy shops” mixed with out-of-town megastores.
He said yesterday: “Our customers prefer to go out of town and see the proper ranges.” A total of 60 high street stores will close between now and 2015 — leaving the owner of CURRYS and PC WORLD with just 40 smaller shops. It will instead focus on 360 megastores combining both brands in “2-in-1” units. As the brands are combined, 60 out-of-town stores under just one of the brands will also close.
Dixons insists no major job losses are expected as the staff will relocate to larger stores. Mr James, right, said the shake-up was part of his bid to create the perfect “multi-channel” retailer to take on internet rivals. He said a combination of aggressive pricing online and service in-store was the right mix.
Dixons’ annual profits fell 17 per cent to £70.8million after huge losses in southern Europe. UK profits were up 15 per cent. Mr James said: “We don’t think this is a bad result given the hurricanes swirling around southern Europe.”
Tesco in 24hr Sundays
TESCO plans to open 200 of its biggest stores for up to 24 HOURS every Sunday during the Olympics, staff claim.
Workers have been told Tesco will join ASDA in taking advantage of the Government’s decision to lift trading restrictions.
From July 22, Tesco will open “the majority” of its 200 Extra shops around the clock. Opening hours at others are also expected to be extended.
A spokesman said last night: “We’ve listened to what our customers and staff have told us about Sunday hours. They would like to see more flexibility.” Ministers are scrapping Sunday restrictions for eight weeks so stores can cash in on the Olympics and Paralympics.
Asda last week said it was extending opening hours at its stores. SAINSBURY’S chief Justin King has said he doesn’t expect any benefit from the move.
A £220m minefield
THE most influential lobby group in the City has hammered miner XSTRATA over a £220million payday for top staff.
The Association of British Insurers panned Xstrata’s plans to reward 73 managers simply for staying put in the event of a merger with GLENCORE. Xstrata chief Mick Davis will receive up to £29MILLION.
The ABI — whose members control 20 per cent of shares traded in the City — is furious the cash is “not linked in any way to performance”. Xstrata insists it will ensure “a stable management team”.
Insurer’s Hut axe
ONE of Britain’s biggest credit insurers has pulled cover from an online specialist backed by ex-M&S boss Sir Stuart Rose.
EULER HERMES has given THE HUT notice that it will refuse to insure suppliers to the business in 30 days.
The Hut runs CD brand ZAVVI and IWANTONEOFTHOSE.COM and has been rumoured to be eyeing a stock market float.
Company insiders insisted Euler’s move was “sector wide”. In a trading statement yesterday, The Hut revealed it had extended banking facilities with BARCLAYS.
Never ad it so good
ADIDAS is saying BALLS to the slowdown — after notching up record sales of football gear. The German sportswear giant expects to make £1.3billion from football ranges this year. It has sold 7million Euro 2012 balls. Germany’s Mario Gomez, above, is favourite for the Adidas golden boot award.
Bid talks collapse
ENGINEER INVENSYS hit the skids yesterday after revealing a bidder had walked away.
Shares crashed 14 per cent as the Brit company said talks had ended following a “highly preliminary” approach. It added: “There are no other discussions taking place.”
City bankers claimed US rival EMERSON ELECTRIC had made an offer.
Analysts last night said Invensys — a long-time takeover target — could be broken up.
It makes rail signals, systems for nuclear power plants and controls for domestic appliances.
FRENCH-owned music giant UNIVERSAL has been given the go-ahead to buy its arch rival EMI — in NEW ZEALAND. It’s the first country to approve the deal, which has been bitterly opposed by British music legends.


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Huawei has released the official preview of its HarmonyOS smartphone interface. Functionality, Ergonomics, Design: What did you think? That is the whole point of our survey this week.
Now the field of shared mobile operating systems between Android and iOS welcomes a newcomer: HarmonyOS. This innovation, conceived and created by Hawaii, serves as an internal alternative to the US ban, which in particular prevents the use of Google services, which have been highly appreciated by European users.
HarmonyOS, official preview provided
HarmonyOS is not just a system for smartphones: it calls itself the entire galaxy of devices. Nevertheless, the Chinese agent will be invited to publish an official preview of the interface, using an event that is entirely dedicated to its OS Future Huawei P50 and P50 Pro.
In short, what should we expect? HarmonyOS in particular draws attention to the connection between devices through an integrated portal, Huawei says, to connect your smartphone to a few devices through a simple process. You should expect a lot of widgets (some of them) “On demand”) Highly customizable and intelligent case management.
What do you think about HarmonyOS for smartphone?
Under HarmonyOS, both smartphone and tablet offer an integrated experience. By connecting the two devices, you can see which application is open on the phone from the tablet. Feel free to discuss our dedicated article, It summarizes each of the elements provided in more detail.
So it was in this context that we wanted to know your opinion about the HarmonyOS interface for smartphones.
Harmonios: What do you think about the smartphone interface?
Thanks for voting.
You have already voted on this poll.
Select the answer.
As usual, do not hesitate to explain your choice in the comments section. We will select a number of participants’ responses within a week.


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VLC team member today updated about their progress in Windows Store app development. First of all, they have now redesigned the app to be a universal Windows app. They are planning to drop the support for Windows 8 users, they need to upgrade to Windows 8.1 to continue receiving updates. They are designing the app that adapts itself depending on the device you’re using, while keeping the same user experience. Instead of fixing bugs in the existing codebase, they rebuilt it again from the scratch to have improved performance.
Should I rebuild the app from scratch, again? Or should I try to fix bugs one by one and improve the current design?
– The first possibility is the faster but also the most dangerous one. So I decided to take my time, and build a great universal app based on the work we have done so far. I cleaned the code, which is now shared between Windows Phone and Windows at a 90 percent level, and have the exact same features, except DLNA support on WP (that might change).
The XAML code is nearly the same. I worked really hard to make a design that works well on phones, phablets, tablets, laptops and desktops thanks to the upcoming windowed mode Windows Threshold is rumored to bring (I tested with Stardock Modern Mix).
Performance-wise, the app is a lot faster than before, more responsive on tablet, and I am trying to have the best responsiveness possible on low-end phones like the Lumia 520 which has a big marketshare in the WP-world.
The Windows 8.1 version is nearly ready to ship and will be released very soon. But the bad news is that they are still facing problems with the ARM compiler which they need to fix before releasing their app for Windows Phone and Windows RT devices.


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Retail inflation for farm and rural workers increased to 6.60 per cent and 6.82 per cent, respectively, in July mainly due to higher prices of certain food items.
In June retail inflation for farm and rural workers stood at 6.43 per cent and 6.76 per cent respectively.
“Point-to-point rate of inflation based on the CPI-AL (Consumer Price Index-Agricultural Labourers) and CPI-RL (Consumer Price Index-Rural Labourers) stood at 6.60 per cent and 6.82 per cent in July, 2022 compared to 6.43 per cent & 6.76 per cent respectively in June, 2022 and 3.92 per cent and 4.09 per cent respectively during the corresponding month (July 2021) of the previous year,” a labour ministry statement said.
Similarly, food inflation stood at 5.38 per cent & 5.44 per cent in July, 2022 compared to 5.09 per cent & 5.16 per cent respectively in June, 2022 and 2.66 per cent & 2.74 per cent respectively during the corresponding month of the previous year, it stated.
The All-India Consumer Price Index Number for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers for July, 2022 increased by 6 points each to stand at 1131 and 1143 points respectively.
The CPI-AL was 1125 points in June 2022, while CPI-RL was 1137 points in the month.
The major contribution towards the rise in general index of Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers came from food group to the extent of 4.41 & 4.07 points respectively mainly due to increase in prices of rice, wheat-atta, bajra, pulses, milk, fish fresh, onion, chillies green/dry, ginger, mixed spices, vegetables & fruits, tea readymade, etc.
The rise in the index varied from state to state. In the case of Agricultural Labourers, it recorded an increase of 1 to 13 points in 20 States. Tamil Nadu with 1301 points topped the index table, whereas Himachal Pradesh with 890 points stood at the bottom.
In the case of Rural Labourers, it recorded an increase of 1 to 13 points in 20 States. Tamil Nadu with 1290 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh with 942 points stood at the bottom.
Amongst states, the maximum increase in the Consumer Price Index Numbers for both Agricultural and Rural Labourers was experienced by Assam (13 points each) mainly due to rise in the prices of rice, chillies green, vegetables & fruits, etc, it stated.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)


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Swiss startup HMCARE to produce transparent surgical mask
A Swiss startup, HMCARE, is to industrially produce a true, fully transparent surgical mask known as the HelloMask.
While previous transparent masks have involved windows prone to fogging up and other issues, HMCARE said its mask provided both breathability and protection from pathogens. “Looking online you can find prototypes of masks that are partly transparent, but they’re just normal masks with some of the fabric replaced by clear plastic,” said HMCARE CEO, Dr Thierry Pele to EPFL.
A team from the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is a research institute and university in Lausanne, in partnership with Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, developed the mask, before creating the startup to bring them to market.
The startup has attracted around $1mn in seed funding. Utilising a biomass-based material for fabrication, the plan is for a market launch in early 2021. That material also ensures the mask is almost completely biodegradable. “Our material is made at 99% from a biomass derivative, and we’ll keep working on them until they’re completely eco-friendly,” said Pelet.
The company emphasised the emotional benefits of such a mask by revealing the wearer’s face and ensuring their expressions remained visible, while also facilitating improved communication between wearers in medical settings.
“We’ve had significant interest in HelloMask already from people and institutions in different walks of life. Empathy and trust are proven to have a positive impact on a patient’s wellbeing and recovery. A smile and a look can often speak more powerfully than words. HelloMask makes that possible,” said Pelet in a press release.
The company further said it had originally mainly intended the mask for use around children and the elderly, but that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic had underlined the need for it in more situations, as initiatives for ordinary people to wear masks have become so prominent.
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Turkey hunters across the U.S. are now able to check turkey activity in their area thanks to the Gobble Map from Powderhook and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF).
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LINCOLN, Nebraska – Turkey hunters across the U.S. are now able to check turkey activity in their area thanks to the Gobble Map from Powderhook and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF).
“Powderhook and the NWTF are working hard to provide some of the most reliable and relevant information to the modern hunter,” said Eric Dinger, Powderhook co-founder and CEO. “Hunters already can view property public land boundaries in their area and they also can research turkey activity as it relates to their local turkey season.”
The user driven Gobble Map, released on March 23, through Google Play and Apple app stores, allows users to post and view turkey sightings with information about frequency and size of the turkey flocks. The map displays a general location of the activity “heat”, helping to keep hunters locations private.
“Hunters play the biggest role in conservation efforts across this country through purchasing licenses, firearms and ammunition,” said Doug Saunders, NWTF executive vice president of marketing and development. “These days, a hunter may only have limited time to prepare for and plan a hunt. We want to ensure they have the greatest opportunity for an enjoyable time in the woods so they continue to carry on our hunting heritage.”
Powderhook’s mission is Access for All. That means access for new hunters, anglers and shooters; for parents and their children; for neighbors who haven’t been out in the field for years; and for you. Powderhook works with the nation’s leading conservation organizations, retailers and manufacturers. The Powderhook platform is bringing our industry together to solve some of its most important problems.
Powderhook and NWTF Announce ‘Gobble Map’


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Hylete, a popular fitness apparel and equipment brand, has been making waves in the athletic industry for years. Known for its high-quality products and active engagement with the fitness community, Hylete garnered a loyal customer base. However, in recent times, the company has faced legal challenges in the form of a lawsuit, which has raised questions about its financial situation and the future of the brand.
The Hylete Lawsuit
The lawsuit against Hylete, revolves around allegations of deceptive marketing practices and false advertising. Several consumers claim that Hylete exaggerated the quality and durability of its products in its marketing campaigns and on its website. Additionally, some customers have alleged difficulties with returns, refunds, and exchanges, citing poor customer service experiences.
The lawsuit has cast a shadow over the company’s reputation, as it is not the first time a fitness brand has faced such allegations. Many consumers rely on product reviews, testimonials, and the company’s own claims when making purchasing decisions, so any perceived deception can result in a loss of trust.
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The Hylete lawsuit has undoubtedly had financial implications for the company. Legal battles can be costly, with expenses mounting for both legal fees and potential settlements if the case is not dismissed. Hylete has had to allocate resources to deal with the lawsuit, diverting funds away from other areas of the business. You can also check StartBusiness Tips to know the full details of Hylete financial situation.
Moreover, the negative publicity generated by the lawsuit can affect sales and brand perception. Potential customers may be hesitant to make purchases from a company facing such allegations, which can lead to a decrease in revenue. Hylete’s financial situation might have been further exacerbated if it had to allocate funds for a potential settlement.
Is Hylete Going Out of Business?
Is Hylete Going Out of Business? There is no information suggesting that Hylete, the fitness apparel and equipment brand, was going out of business. However, the financial situation and business status of companies can change over time.
Navigating the Challenges
Hylete has a few options to navigate through the challenges posed by the lawsuit and its financial implications:
Settlement or Legal Defense: The company must decide whether to settle the lawsuit or defend itself in court. Settling can be a quicker way to resolve the issue, but it may involve significant financial compensation. Defending the case in court might clear the company’s name but can be costly and time-consuming.
Improved Customer Service: To address customer complaints and rebuild trust, Hylete can invest in improving its customer service and return policies. Ensuring smooth transactions and addressing issues promptly can mitigate negative consumer sentiment.
Marketing and Brand Repair: Hylete can also invest in marketing campaigns focused on transparency and product quality. Rebuilding the brand’s reputation as one committed to delivering quality fitness products can help regain consumer trust.
Diversification: Diversifying its product offerings or expanding into new markets can provide additional revenue streams and reduce the company’s reliance on its existing product lines.
Risk Mitigation: To prevent future legal issues, Hylete can implement stricter quality control measures, transparent advertising practices, and clear refund policies.
The Hylete lawsuit has undoubtedly posed challenges for the fitness brand, both financially and in terms of reputation. However, how the company addresses these challenges and navigates through them will determine its future success.
By focusing on transparency, product quality, and customer satisfaction, Hylete can work to regain trust and continue its mission of providing high-quality fitness products to its dedicated customer base.


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Well. It looks like Nintendo might be a bit on the struggle bus. Will and Willie talk about the most recent Nintendo earnings report, and what options and challenges the struggling company has in front of it.
It’s a brand new year. You know what that means? A giant games blow out, as Will and Willie discuss “Super Mario 3D World,” add a few more thoughts about “A Link Between Worlds,” and then, of course, somehow wind up just talking about Animal Crossing. Even in a new year, somethings never change.


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Ford ranger 2018 philippines. Two weeks ago ford announced that the ford ranger raptor 2018 would hit asia pacific next year. The pickup truck segment is being threatened by a new player the taunting ford ranger raptor is now in the philippines. It now sports a restyled grille and front bumper which gives it a slightly tougher look but the biggest changes are under the hood.
The other big news is the arrival of the rugged 20 liter bi turbo raptor variant which comes with a special. The popular ranger gets updated for 2019. Compare prices and find the best price of ford ranger.
Fords shown below can be hovered over or you can click on the names of the ford brands to get more information on any of them. The brand new chrome grille and also even more muscle front end makes the brand new ranger look a lot more effective compared to ever before. However no official announcement yet on whether or not the philippines will be among the next destinations for the all new ford pick up truck.
2018 ford ranger xlt philippines ford ranger sale price list philippines new and secondused ford ranger for sale in the philippines 2018. 2018 ford ranger price list philippines the brand new chrome grille and also even more muscle front end makes the brand new ranger look extra effective compared to ever before. Compare prices and find the best price of ford ranger.
The perfect truck for those who think the ranger isnt fearsome enough this raptorized ranger features frame mounted bumper and composite material fenders in black. 2018 ford ranger price list philippines 2018 ford ranger is another fair size get delivered by ford engine businessthis fresh out of the plastic new ford ranger pickup can be made utilization of not only for also go dirt road romping however on street. 2018 ford ranger raptor price philippines this list of car models made by ford includes ford sports cars suv models ford compact cars and even classic ford cars.
Ford ranger 2018 philippines a stylish and tough off roader the ford ranger has been known as one of the most popular pick up truck in the philippines since its first launch in march 2002. New and secondused ford ranger for sale in the philippines 2018. Its newest edition now comes with fords sync 3 in car connectivity system with voice command and an 8 inch touchscreen lcd.


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Warner Leisure Hotels is giving guests the chance to bag a bargain this Black Friday with short breaks in its coastal and country house hotels starting from just £85 per person for a 2-night stay.
This price includes dinner, bed and breakfast, live entertainment, activities such as archery and Nordic walking, and more – with breaks reduced for a short time only.
The Black Friday deal will be available to purchase from 15-30 November and can also be redeemed on stays in 2022.
Simon Thompson, managing director of Warner Leisure Hotels, said: “It’s the perfect time of year to line up a minibreak to get away from the hustle and bustle of the season or plan a treat for the new year. With our stunning facilities, sumptuous bedrooms and show-stopping entertainment, we really are offering a Black Friday bargain that mustn’t be missed.”
Bookings are now open - for more information, visit warnerleisurehotels.co.uk/offers/black-Friday


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4G Speed Set to Double as Rollout Continues10th April 2013
The original provider of 4G mobile data in the UK – Everything Everywhere – has announced that speeds are set to double to more than 20Mbps in several UK cities.
This faster service will initially be rolled out in 10 major cities where 4G has already been introduced, whilst the nationwide rollout of the initial service continues. The higher speeds will soon be available London, Cardiff, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol and Sheffield.
EE remains the sole provider of 4G services in the UK, but other providers are set to launch their services following the 4G spectrum auction earlier this year in February.
Rumours surrounding weak demand for 4G services persist, with some experts warning that faster browsing could lead to bills soaring, which will put off further potential customers. EE however claims that there has been a “huge shift” in the way people are using their mobile phones. It is currently aiming to have 1 million users on 4G by the end of 2013, and expects mobile data demand to grow by up to 750% by 2016.
Ernest Doku of uSwitch does concede that doubling the speed of 4G could “cushion the blow” of the extra financial outlay EE customers have to make for 4G services. Speeds could reach up to 7 times those possible with 3G although he does echo the sentiment that faster browsing could encourage customers to use mobile browsing far more often to send their data bills sky high.
Rivals 3 (Hutchison) have offered their new 4G service (launched Autumn 2013) at the same price as their existing 3G services, which is likely to attract swathes of new customers, and drive market prices down. No price plans are currently forthcoming from the other winners of the 4G spectrum auction – Telefonica o2, Vodafone and Niche Spectrum (BT).


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GDPR compliance requires superior data protection solutions
The European Union's new data privacy regulations are prompting organizations everywhere to look for new data protection solutions.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2016/679 requires companies that acquire information about EU residents to make that information available to residents upon request. Companies must specifically get a resident's consent to collect, process and store personal information. And organizations must also be able to erase or eliminate that information when a resident withdraws consent. Organizations that don't comply with GDPR requirements face significant fines – more than £20 million or 4% of yearly worldwide revenue, whichever is greater.
To ensure GDPR compliance, organizations need data protection solutions that can protect personal information from potential security breaches. New data protection solutions must also simplify archiving, search and management of personal information. And with the deadline for implementation of GDPR privacy laws set for May 2018, organizations will need data protection solutions that can be quickly deployed and that will help to reduce the expense and complexity of managing compliance.


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Porsche is expanding its one-make championship series to new realms—the digital one, that is.
On Monday, the German performance marque announced the Porsche Esports Supercup, which will be a one-make series for video gamers. The virtual world championship is no joke, as it shares its Supercup name with the real-world event. The name itself refers to the highest category of one-make series at Porsche. In real life, the Supercup sees 911 GT3 Cup racers duke it out, and that's exactly what gamers will do in the Esports Supercup.
The platform for the championship will be iRacing, one of the most popular motorsport platforms in the world of electronic sports (Esports). A total 40 simulation race drivers have already made their way to qualify for the series and will be placed in battle with the best of the best over 10 races. Fritz Enzinger, head of Porsche Motorsport, said the winner will be treated much like a traditional Porsche factory driver. He or she will be honored at the Porsche Night of Champions gala, which always marks Porsche drivers and motorsport teams' successes over a year.
Porsche, of course, isn't the first marque to recognize the achievements of a race driver doing battle in the virtual world. Nissan's GT Academy has seen several virtual racers get the chance to race in the real world.
Why all the interesting in Esports? According to Porsche, the brand's heart will always be planted in motorsport, and with this new endeavour, it can share its passion with a broader audience. The thinking is likely the same over at Mercedes-AMG, which last year formed a team of video gamers to take on the 2019 Formula 1 Esports Series.
As for the Porsche Esports Supercup, the first race will take place on April 13 at a virtual Barber Motorsport Park. The 10 races will run through September 28 when the series wraps up at a digital Monza. Not only will one driver earn bragging rights, he or she will also win one prize in the sum of $100,000.


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MUSCAT, FEB 20
Oman Flour Mills (OFM), a major player in the country’s food sector, expects to receive a 35,000 MT of wheat from Australia this month as a result of a contract signed in November last year by OMAUS Pty Australia and local Australian farmers.
OMAUS Pty Australia is a trading firm set up by Atyab Investments (the investment arm of OFM) to help secure grain supplies from Australia and with the aim to “contract (directly) with growers in Australia” thereby enabling better procurement terms for the buying of Australian grains.
To this end, two Australian farmers have joined forces to put together and export a 35,000-tonne bulk shipment of milling wheat to Oman in what could be a first for the Australia’s wheat industry.
Farmers Andrew Weidemann and Barry Large have started the company LW Investments Australia to export grain, including their own, directly from farmers to end users.
The ship is being loaded at the Port of Geelong in Victoria, Australia and will sail for Oman this week.
“Farmers don’t usually export their own grain. Typically, they deliver to a bulk handler like Graincorp or Viterra, which then manages export logistics. End users like Oman Flour Mills wanted to buy grain directly from growers.
Oman Flour Mills has been purchasing wheat from Australia for quite some time, but they have been talking about trying to connect directly with farmers,” Weidemann said in a report by abc.net.
Meanwhile, Atyab Investments is exploring new projects in line with OFM’s strategy to diversify which include (1) venturing into the production of foods based on organic flour; (2) looking at sustainable food projects based on alternative protein sources; (3) farming of Spirulina — cyanobacteria from blue-green algae species which can be processed into nutritive products consumed by humans and animals alike; and (4) cultivating water lentils — a plant with a roughly 45 – 48 per cent protein content that can be used as a soybean meal replacement in animal feed.


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Amazon places further responsibility on third-party sellers who violate safety standards
CNBC has recently revealed that Amazon is to start penalising sellers who go against its safety standards when sending shipments to its warehouses. Forming part of its productivity and efficiency drive, the penalties will seek to enforce regulations around packages containing hazardous substances, such as aerosols or electrical products.
With the number of violations steadily increasing, according to CNBC’s FOIA request, it is a clear indicator that Amazon is set to take consumer safety seriously, as well as further its ambitions to enable its warehouse operations to become increasingly efficient.
In 2009, Amazon dealt with two incident reports, in comparison to 2016, where figures soared past 40 cases. The move will place further responsibility on third-party sellers, ensure consumer safety and transparency, and guarantee trust with all involved parties.
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The fee will be an additional concern for third-party sellers, who can be charged for ‘unplanned services,’ such as missing barcodes or vital warning labels, undeclared items, boxes which are oversized, too heavy, in an unsuitable condition and more.
However, more often that not, third-party sellers are unaware of the federal regulations in place, which have been established to protect both consumers, Amazon employees and further parties involved in the process, creating further challenges for Amazon to remain fully compliant with outstanding policies.
Nonetheless, the news has been positively received online, with many praising Amazon’s commitment to the safety of its workers, and will provide a multitude of advantages to consumers.
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WATI, a Hong Kong and Malaysia-headquartered startup announced it has raised $23 million in Series B funding led by Tiger Global.
- Founded by Bianca Ho and Ken Yeung in 2020, WATI (WhatsApp Team Inbox) helps non-technical businesses scale their customer support, customer engagement and acquisition through its CRM.
- The startup currently has more than 6,000 customers in 75 countries, including SMBs in spaces like house cleaning, schools, education centers, edtech, fintech, medical facilities, D2C brands and Shopify stores.
- WATI’s customer engagement software is built on WhatsApp for Business’ API and lets clients send personalized notifications. The platform includes a collaborative team inbox used by multiple agents, and features like smart routing, canned responses, data tagging and analytics.
- According to the CEO, WATI's closest competitor is the native WhatsApp for Business app, which most SMBs start off using, but insists WATI is a suitable fit for them as their businesses scale.
- The funds will be used to increase their workforce and invest in WATI’s product stack for low-code automation. The company plans to also expand Latin America and other Southeast Asian countries.
- Other participants in the round include Sequoia Capital India & Southeast Asia, and new investors DST Global Partners and Shopify. This round marks Shopify's first investment in a Southeast Asian startup.